Festival Foods stores becoming ‘greener’

Green Bay, Wisconsin – (April 21, 2008) – Numerous industries today are managing their operations in a more environmentally progressive way, and the grocery industry is one of these that is actively taking on a greener role.


 


In Wisconsin, Festival Foods is an example of a grocery story chain that is continuing to look for ways to manage its environmental responsibilities more effectively. Its recent efforts include:


 


* Introducing a reusable bag program to help protect the environment by offering an alternative to plastic and paper bags. The company’s reusable bags are environmentally beneficial in that a portion of each bag is made from recycled material.


 


* Encouraging customers to recycle plastic bags. Customers can bring plastic bags to Festival Foods stores and place them in collection bins. The company then recycles these bags, and the byproducts include weather-resistant items such as synthetic deck boards and park benches.


 


* Replacing its existing fluorescent lighting with higher efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs use at least two-thirds less energy, provide the same amount of light and last up to 10 times longer.


 


* Using environmentally friendly building practices with all of its new stores, including its new Fond du Lac store, which opened near the end of last year. These practices include storm water design and erosion-control measures, as well as using low-emitting building materials such as carpeting, ceramic tile, vinyl composition and concrete.


 


According to Mark Skogen, president and owner of Festival Foods, the company’s commitment to the environment is a total win-win. “By maintaining a high-level commitment to the environment, we further ensure the sustainability of our business and the health and safety of the communities we serve,” Skogen said.


 


Festival Foods operates 12 stores in Wisconsin, and it employs nearly 2,900 full- and part-time associates.


 


A family-owned company, Festival Foods has stores in Green Bay (2), De Pere, Appleton (2), Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Marshfield, Eau Claire, Holmen, Onalaska and La Crosse.